It works through a national network of independent financial advisors who use Brookstone’s centralized investment platform and resources. Services include retirement planning, investment management, estate strategies, and insurance. The firm also uses its Results in Advance Planning (RIAP) process to help clients evaluate their financial situation and align their long-term goals with a suitable investment strategy.
What are the pros and cons of Retirement Wealth Advisors?
Retirement Wealth Advisors combines advisor-led financial planning with the resources of Brookstone’s centralized investment platform. Its strengths include nationwide advisor access and customized planning support, while its drawbacks stem from a more complex fee structure and potential conflicts of interest tied to advisor compensation models.
The pros of Retirement Wealth Advisors
Personalized financial planning: Each client receives a personalized plan built around their financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Advisors periodically review portfolios to help ensure they stay aligned with their objectives.
Nationwide advisor access: The firm connects clients with independent financial advisors across the US, offering local services supported by Brookstone’s investment platform and research team.
Comprehensive wealth management: Retirement Wealth Advisors offer a range of services, including investment management, retirement income strategies, estate and legacy planning, and insurance support, under a unified framework.
Institutional resources and oversight: Clients benefit from Brookstone’s compliance, trading, and portfolio research, designed to support fiduciary oversight across its advisor network.
The cons of Retirement Wealth Advisors
Complex fee structure with multiple tiers: Advisory fees are based on assets under management (AUM), with total costs depending on the account size, investment program, and services. Fees are negotiable but capped at 2.5% annually. Clients may also incur fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) expenses, annuity charges, and custodial or brokerage fees, making the pricing structure complex.
Potential conflicts of interest: The firm offers several services that compensate advisors differently, which may create an incentive to recommend programs with higher compensation. It states that such risks are mitigated through compliance oversight, account reviews, and adherence to its Code of Ethics.
Advisor-facilitated access only: Accounts must be opened and managed via affiliated advisors, so there is no DIY or automated investing option for those seeking a fully digital experience.
Retirement Wealth Advisors fees: how much does it cost?
Retirement Wealth Advisors’ pricing follows a fee-based advisory model, where costs are linked to AUM and may include additional charges for financial planning, annuity programs, or underlying investment products.
According to regulatory filings, advisory fees are negotiable but capped at 2.5% annually, with most clients paying a percentage of AUM.
Additional financial planning services may be billed either hourly (up to $350 per hour) or at a fixed rate ($200 to $5,000 or more), depending on the complexity. For some products, such as Nationwide’s variable annuity management program, the total advisory fee can reach 2.05% per year.
| Fee type | Description | Typical range/limit | Billing and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advisory fee (AUM-based) | Ongoing management fee based on AUM via the BCM platform or wrap-fee program. | Negotiable, capped at 2.5% annually (between 1.5% and 2.5%). | Billed monthly in arrears; prorated for partial months. Fees vary by portfolio size, investments, and services. |
| Variable annuity management program | A variable annuity asset allocation model offered via Nationwide. | Up to 2.05% annually. Investment advisor representative (IAR) gets up to 1.55%, BCM gets 0.5%). | Additional fees may be charged by Nationwide. |
| Financial planning (Hourly fee) | Comprehensive financial planning billed by the hour. | Up to $350 per hour. | Charged in six-minute increments; up for negotiation. |
| Financial planning (Fixed fee) | Flat-fee option for specific planning projects. | $200 to $5,000 or more. | Based on project complexity as stated in the financial planning agreement. |
| Other costs | Fund, ETF, annuity, brokerage, and custodian fees are not included in the advisory charge. | Varies by provider. | Disclosed in prospectus or custodial documents. |
Retirement Wealth Advisors charges asset-based management fees, generally capped at 2.5% per year, plus optional hourly or fixed planning fees.
Clients using Nationwide’s variable annuity program pay up to 2.05% annually, in addition to product-specific charges. As total costs include multiple components (advisory, fund, annuity, and custodial fees), clients should carefully review all related agreements and prospectuses.
What is the minimum account size for Retirement Wealth Advisors?
Retirement Wealth Advisors requires a minimum investment that varies by program and service type. While it doesn’t provide a threshold, regulatory filings outline typical ranges for its managed accounts and financial planning services.
The firm expects clients to have at least $25,000 for discretionary portfolio management. Its minimum account size requirements typically range between $5,000 and $100,000, depending on the investment program. It may accept clients with smaller portfolios.
Certain strategies, such as variable annuity allocations or wrap-fee programs, may require higher amounts set by the program sponsor. Clients seeking only financial planning don’t need a minimum investment portfolio.
With entry points as low as $5,000 for some programs, Retirement Wealth Advisors offers a more flexible minimum than many traditional advisory firms, while providing access to personalized financial advice and portfolio management.
Who should choose Retirement Wealth Advisors?
Retirement Wealth Advisors is suitable for clients who value personalized financial advice through a dedicated advisor rather than an automated platform.
It appeals to clients seeking tailored retirement strategies, holistic planning, and ongoing human interaction supported by Brookstone’s investment infrastructure.
Retirement Wealth Advisors is suitable for:
Those approaching retirement and retirees: Those preparing for or already in retirement can benefit from customized income strategies, portfolio drawdown planning, and estate coordination.
Professionals and business owners: Clients with complex financial circumstances, such as multiple income streams, tax considerations, or business assets, can receive coordinated investment and planning support from an advisor.
Long-term investors: Clients focused on building or preserving wealth may appreciate the advisor-led approach, fiduciary oversight, and portfolio monitoring.
Clients who prefer personal relationships: The firm’s nationwide network of independent advisors allows clients to work with a local professional who provides individualized services and ongoing communication.
Those seeking full-service financial planning: Advisors can integrate retirement, insurance, and estate strategies into a single plan aligned with each client’s goals.
Retirement Wealth Advisors may not be suitable for:
DIY or digital-first investors: Those who prefer to manage their portfolio independently or via automated tools may find the advisor-led structure less convenient.
Fee-sensitive investors: As advisory fees are negotiated individually and may include multiple costs, the service may not appeal to those seeking the cheapest option.
Short-term traders: The firm’s investment approach emphasizes long-term objectives and consistent portfolio management rather than frequent trading.
Retirement Wealth Advisors is ideal for investors who value holistic planning and long-term advisor relationships, rather than those seeking automated or DIY investing.
Retirement Wealth Advisors: Is it secure?
Yes. Retirement Wealth Advisors operates under a regulated advisory framework and is registered with the SEC under the legal name Brookstone Wealth Advisors.
Client assets are held by independent, qualified custodians, meaning the firm does not directly hold client funds. Advisors are subject to fiduciary oversight and supervisory procedures, and custodians use industry-standard security measures such as encryption and secure account access.
Retirement Wealth Advisors: Customer service
Retirement Wealth Advisors provides customer support through its nationwide network of independent financial advisors, focusing on personal relationships rather than centralized or automated service.
Clients work directly with a dedicated advisor who handles portfolio updates, planning questions, and ongoing reviews.
Communication typically takes place by phone, email, or scheduled meetings during business hours, and availability can vary by advisor.
Clients can also request contact through the firm’s online form. Overall, the firm’s customer service is advisor-driven and personalized, but it does not offer 24/7 or digital chat support.
Is Retirement Wealth Advisors worth it?
Whether Retirement Wealth Advisors is worth it depends on what clients are seeking from a retirement-focused advisory relationship.
The firm’s primary strength lies in its personalized retirement planning, delivered through a nationwide network of independent financial advisors who integrate investment, income, insurance, and estate strategies into a single long-term plan.
Its RIAP process provides clients with a holistic view of their retirement readiness, supported by Brookstone.
However, the firm’s fee structure is complex and negotiable, with advisory costs (capped at 2.5% annually) plus potential fund, annuity, and custodial expenses that can vary by program. Minimums also differ across programs, from $5,000 to $100,000.
Retirement Wealth Advisors is suitable for individuals approaching or in retirement who want an advisor-led, comprehensive plan for income stability and wealth preservation, while investors seeking low-cost automation or DIY trading may find it less aligned with their needs.
Get expert financial advice
If you need expert financial advice, Unbiased can match you with a financial advisor who will help you manage your money and maximize your investments.